Traction scale bar



y 10, 1955 J. 1. JUDOVICH 2,707,950

TRACTION SCALE BAR Filed Marci 4, 1954 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 0 TRACTION SCALE BAR Joel Irving Judovich, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 4, 1954, Serial No. 414,134

2 Claims. (Cl. 128--75) This invention relates to traction apparatus used therapeutically, and more particularly to a combination traction bar and scale employed as an essential element thereof.

In prior patents, No. 2,633,124 and No. 2 633,125 issued concurrently on March 31, 1953, apparatus is described for applying intermittent and controlled traction to the cervical vertebrae of a patient for the purpose of relieving the pain and the suffering incident to the herniation, the fracture, or the compression of the interverteb'ral discs. Although the apparatus described and illustrated in the aforesaid patents exemplifies an instrumentality for the purpose of relieving the pain inherent in the disorders of the cervical intervertebral discs, yet by means of a suitable pelvic belt or binder, the apparatus is also adapted to mitigate the suffering that accompanies a distortion or a herniation of an intervertebral disc in the lumbar section of the spinal column.

An object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the intermittent and the controlled force applied to the affected areas can be readily and continuously observed when the patient is undergoing therapy. That this force should be determinable throughout the treatment period by the medical technician and becomes a matter of importance is borne out by the likelihood that inadequate traction becomes a therapeutic nullity; and, conversely, excessive traction may be potentially inimical to the patients physical and mental welfare. In the apparatus of the two prior patents, a conventional dynamometer or coil-spring balance is used. However, its location behind the traction mechanism (so positioned because of the unavailability of anterior vertical space) makes the scale diflicult of access for observation by the attending technician or physician. Also, there was frequent breakage of the coil-spring.

A second object of this invention is to eliminate the utilization of a conventional coil-spring balance, thereby releasing important anterior vertical space for a more neatly compact construction of the apparatus. As a consequence, the overhead pulleys are lowered and overall height of the apparatus is appreciably decreased.

Since the vertical excursion of a conventional dynamometer can be thus reduced, it is a third object of this invention to utilize this advantageous feature in providing for a smaller cam and a design of less unwieldy apparatus throughout, thus obviously reducing the costs of material and labor.

A fourth object of this invention is to replace the solid, metallic yoke of the prior patents with a more versatile combination of a traction bar and a scale.

Another object of my invention is to provide a resilient spring which may be used when great strength and a small space is available.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description of its details of construction and its combination of parts especially when evaluated in the light of the disclosure of the accompanying illustration drawings, in which similar parts are designated by like reference numerals:

Figure l is an elevational view of the traction bar and scale in an unfiexed position.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the traction bar and scale in a flexed position.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing the harness and the traction bar and scale as it is applied to a subject with the force being directed upwardly.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the traction bar and scale, taken on line 4-4, Figure 2.

The scale bar in Figure 1 consists of two sections, an upper bowed section 1 and a lower flat section 2. The bow 1 consists of either a single leaf or a plurality of leaves of finely tempered spring steel, securely bolted or otherwise held together as a spring ensemble. The lower flat section 2 is similarly constructed, either with a single leaf or multiple leaves. In contrast with the assembly of member 2, the leaf or leaves of member 1 are bent into an arc, is or are forcibly flexed into a bow and fastened to section 2. This leaves the bow section member 1 in a constant state of tension at both ends, the bow having a tendency to straighten itself out. Member 1, bent into a bow-like configuration, is securely attached at both ends to the ends of member 2 by nuts and bolts 3 or by any other suitable locking device. At the ends of the assembly of members 1 and 2 are attached two rings 4 which are approximately 19 inches apart, although this distance may be varied as necessity or desirability of circumstances may dictate. To the rings 4 is attached a pendant halter H which holds the patients head, neck, and jaw in proper alignment during the administration of the stretching therapy.

It should be noted that the overall length of the upper bowed section 1 is longer than the lower flat section 2 so that when the side edges 1A and 2A and 1B and 2B are aligned, the center of the section 1 is bowed with respect to the center of section 2. When the ends of the sections 1 and 2 are securely held together it will require considerable force to flex one member with respect to its complement section and the force applied flexes the two members in direct proportion to the distance they flex with respect to one another.

As previously mentioned, the bar scale replaces the yoke and the scale of the two prior patents. In Fig. 3, member 1 is drilled or perforated at the summit of its arc in order to admit freely a rod 5, which is securely attached at the mid-point of the lower member 2. The upper end of the rod 5 terminates in a hook 6or a hook 6 is otherwise suitably attached to the upper end of the rod 5-in order that an attached cable 7 may transmit its force of tension to member 2, to its rings 4, to the halter H, and ultimately to the patients head and neck (as seen in Fig. 3) on the occasions when the cable 7 is actuated either manually (or preferably) mechanically during treatments by the powered mechanism.

Furthermore, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, a graduated vertical scale 8 is mounted fixedly at the mid-point on the rear edge or the under surface of member 2. The scale 8 is calibrated in terms of known weights and, as presently used, an excursion of 1%" is equivalent to an upward pull of 50 pounds. The illustration of an upward force applied through the cable 7 to the rod.5 flexes the lower member 2, which carries the scale 3 with it. An index or a marker on member 1, when projected against the scale 8, reveals at a glance the magnitude of whatever force has been applied to member 2 and indirectly to the halter H, supporting the head and the neck of the patient.

This invention has proved to be a practical accessory of the apparatus adapted to apply intermittent or constant traction to the cervical or the lumbar vertebrae of patients suffering from the symptoms of herniated or compressed intervertebral discs, whether administered manually or by hanging Weights or by motor driven apparatus.

This apparatus can;be used in varying lengths and thicknesses of metal and can be applied not only for medical purposes as described but can be used for any purposes in which it is necessary to register pull or strain of opposing forces when vertical or horizontal space is lacking or where the shortened excursion derived from this apparatus will be advantageous.

The same effect and result may be used by using two flat pieces of steel spring parallel to each other.

The lower portion of the member 2 is not tapped at the center. The upper portion of the member 1 has a single hole in the center so that the pull on the lower member may be exerted and that there will be relative motion between the upper and lower members 1 and 2 respectively. A permanent scale is mounted on the lower piece enabling a reading of the pull to be made. The ends are clamped or securely held together.

Although this invention has been preferably described in its present embodiment, yet such a description is intended as being illustrative and not limitative, since this invention can be otherwise expressed within the scope of its spirit as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with traction apparatus for treating individuals afiiicted with a ruptured or herniated cervical or lumbar disc, a traction scale-bar, said bar consisting of an upper bowed member of spring steel and a lower flat member of spring steel, said upper and lower members being secured, attached one to the other at their extremities, said upper member being perforated at its mid-point and adapted to receive freely a vertical rod,

said vertical rod being fixedly attached to said lower memher at its mid-point and adapted to be secured to a tensile cable of said traction apparatus, said lower member being adapted to support a pendant halter of said traction apparatus; and a scale, said scale being mounted securely to the mid-point of said lower member and calibrated to indicate the magnitude of force applied to said tensile cable, the edge of the middle portion of the upper member is the indicator which is read on the scale.

2. A traction scale bar comprising an upper bowed member of spring steel and a lower flat member of spring steel, said upper and lower members being secured and securely attached one to the other at their extremities, said upper member being adapted to engage a vertically movable rod, said vertically movable rod being fixedly attached to said lower member at its mid-point and adapted to be secured to a cable, said lower member being adapted to support a scale, said scale being mounted securely to the midpoint of said lower member and calibrated to indicate the magnitude of force applied to said tensile cable.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Serial No. 387,749, Linthout (A. P. 0. now abandoned, published May 25, 1943. 

